Naismith happy to concentrate on playing

06 July 2012 08:17

New Everton signing Steven Naismith is pleased to be able to concentrate purely on football having left behind difficult times at Rangers.

The 25-year-old freed himself from his contract at the troubled Scottish side after they descended towards liquidation and declined to transfer his contract to the newco club. That allowed Everton to snap him up on a free transfer with the forward signing a four-year deal.

Naismith had to answer numerous questions about his former club at his presentation press conference but now is keen to focus on the day job, saying: "The last six months there has been a lot of uncertainty and a lot of topics off football and not on it and obviously I've been out injured as well."

He added: "It has been really difficult in terms of getting asked questions and getting involved in different matters no footballer ever thinks they will ever have to deal with.

"That was probably the hardest part of it but as a squad we dealt with it very well.

"The outcomes haven't been the greatest for Rangers but for myself I am delighted to be getting back to pre-season and working hard.

"It is good to just get back to the football side of things. I see my future at Everton and I hope can progress and get in the team."